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Campaigns wrapped for another year.
In early February, the Army is expected to announce a national total for the 2006 Red Kettle campaign hoping to exceed the 2005 record of $111 million.
Meanwhile, two West Coast cities, San Francisco, Calif. and Portland, Ore., reported excellent outcomes to their Christmas efforts.
More than 1,400 low income families were provided with gifts, stocking stuffers and a box of food including a chicken or turkey, powdered milk, rice, fresh vegetables and canned goods at the Toy and Joy Shop in San Francisco.
Through the city’s Adopt-a-Family program, donors adopted 78 families and gave bicycles, stereos, clothing and grocery gift certificates to them at Christmas.
On Christmas Day, 2,500 ham dinners were served to homebound individuals living in San Francisco.
More than $5,700 was raised at the 26th Celebrity Bell Ringing Day, which included performances by the CBS5 Eyewitness Blues Band, the Emery Secondary School Jazz Band and choruses from San Francisco’s Unified School District. Long-time friend of the Army, KTVU, FOX2 anchor Mark Curtis, also came to show his support.
In Portland and Gresham, Ore., and Washington County, Wash., residents contributed $592,009.70 to this year’s Red Kettle campaign.
